ELPS is requesting $25 million in capital improvements over the next five years | Rare Techy

EAST LONGMEADOW – East Longmeadow Elementary School Superintendent Gordon Smith embarked on a $25 million capital plan over the next five years. Seven items were discussed and dedicated to the list of requests that will be brought to the city. He said the extra 30 percent in “parts” was added to the decisions to deal with inflation.

The replacement of the flat roof space at Birchland Park Middle School, and a similar project at Mapleshade Elementary School, placed first and second respectively. School Committee member Elizabeth Marsian-Boucher says these programs are about safety.

The third item the district is considering requesting is electrical upgrades at Mountain View School, which will cost $629,000. Smith said the property was originally combined with $2.5 million worth of rooftop air units for the school, which were identified as acceptable in a 2013 feasibility study. The committee asked to remain independent. programs, however.

Window air-conditioning units are already used in all classrooms, so the ceiling fans are the fastest the committee can think of, as electrical upgrades are faster, and put in place. to the third in the list.

The redesign of the Meadowbrook Elementary School parking lot, including the removal of parking islands, “is almost a safety issue,” Marsian-Boucher said. The project’s price tag will be “significantly” lower than previous estimates, Smith said. This made it to number four in the list.

Fifth, the renovation of the main office at Kura Kaupapa Maori, is to increase the security of the school. This program will make the office a hub for people entering the school.

Number six on the list is replacing the hoses across the area as they near the end of their useful life. Thompson floated taking the item off the list, but Smith asked for it to be included because he didn’t want to “lose the way it should be.” Thompson said it could be placed on the capital list for two years, and in the meantime, the district needs to discuss funding the project with the County Planning Committee.

Smith said the district will receive funding through the Massachusetts School Building Authority, when possible, but said the agency is not accepting requests for its accelerated renovation program.

Issue Reminders reached out to Smith about pricing for each item, but had not heard back by press time.
The list will be brought to the City Manager for consideration by the Budget Committee.

Half day

During public comment, Tara Spence raised concerns about the school calendar. She said half-days are difficult for working parents who don’t have family nearby.

“Some of the half days are supposed to be for parent-teacher conferences,” Spence said, but he said the second day of the conference was too soon after the first and said move to the source. Spence also said there will be no events for students in grades 6 through 10 unless it is deemed necessary.

“Just because my kids aren’t in high demand, doesn’t mean I don’t have a voice in what goes on in my kids’ education,” Spence said.

School Committee Chairman Gregory Thompson said the use of half-days is part of contractual obligations for professional development but the district knew it would cause problems for some families.